After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 89

“What do you think?” After speaking, Li Chanxiu carefully glanced at Pei Zhen again and asked, weighing his words.

A maternal family suddenly appearing, he didn’t know whether Pei Er would believe it. But in any case… what Pei Er had just said didn’t quite make sense either. Although the Hu people had been driven back for now, they could gather forces and attack again at any time. How could General Chen allow Pei Er to take too long a rest and still have time to go trade furs?

He didn’t know what Pei Er was leaving home to do, perhaps he had received some secret mission that couldn’t be disclosed. In any case, what the other had said just now was very likely a lie. Since he couldn’t think of an excuse for the moment, he simply followed along with the other’s words and made one up.

Moreover, a cousin had indeed appeared for him not long ago. Now suddenly adding a maternal family… wouldn’t be too abrupt, right?

Li Chanxiu lowered his long, thick lashes slightly, unsure whether he could deceive Pei Er this time.

Pei Zhen was also slightly startled upon hearing this. His wife still had maternal family members? Wasn’t Imperial Physician Shen’s family wiped out before exile, except for the daughter Shen Xiu?

Even if there were any, they could only be collateral relatives who had been implicated. If they were merely collateral kin, why would they care whether Shen Xiu lived or died? Moreover, his wife was very likely not Shen Xiu, making it even less likely that she would go to meet Shen Xiu’s maternal family.

In that case, it was highly likely that his wife’s real maternal family had come looking for her, rather than the Shen family. As for Gu Heng… his wife was probably just using him as an excuse.

Pei Zhen felt slightly relieved. Although his wife’s words contained falsehoods, hadn’t he also deceived her? Especially since he had used “taking Xuanping’s money” as an excuse, making her feel guilty…

Thinking this, already feeling somewhat guilty, he found it even harder to expose anything.

Moreover, Liang Wang Shizi was in Yongzhou. Although he had already left Yongfeng Town, what if he had secretly left people behind… he truly couldn’t be at ease.

In that case, his wife temporarily leaving Yongfeng and going to her so-called maternal family would actually be safer.

And it would only be for a few days. Once Zhang Boqian, Lord Zhang, returned to Yongzhou as prefect, he could help look after his wife somewhat. Lord Zhang was a protégé promoted by his grandfather and had long been stationed in Yongzhou, one of their own people.

Still, he couldn’t help but worry. After thinking it over, he said, “So your maternal family still has people. Since they’ve come, it wouldn’t be proper for me not to meet them. Which county are they in? If it’s close, how about I accompany you there… no, I should go pick them up instead.”

Thinking that Li Chanxiu was still ill and not suited for travel and fatigue, he changed his wording.

Li Chanxiu stiffened upon hearing this, inwardly thinking, “This is bad.” He hadn’t asked when Pei Er would be leaving just now. So he quickly named a county far from Yongfeng Town.

In fact, he could have had a few of his former subordinates pretend to be his maternal family. But first, he didn’t dare let his subordinates know that he had married here and wed a man, lest it reach his father. Second, less trouble was better. If those people came and it was discovered they weren’t ordinary, what if something was exposed?

After hearing the name of the county, Pei Zhen realized it was not close and frowned slightly.

Li Chanxiu hurriedly interrupted and asked, “By the way, when are you leaving? Do you need me to prepare your luggage?”

Pei Zhen’s brows relaxed slightly. “I’ll leave tomorrow.”

After a pause, he looked at him with softened eyes and said gently, “Then I’ll trouble my wife to help me pack.”

Li Chanxiu had intended to divert his attention, but hadn’t expected him to actually say that. He couldn’t help but stiffen slightly, though he wasn’t entirely surprised.

“Alright.” He quickly nodded with a faint smile.

Pei Zhen’s gaze grew even gentler, yet also reluctant to part.

He didn’t truly want his still-recovering wife to labor over packing his things. It was just… perhaps husbands who had a family were all like this, thinking that every item prepared for the journey came from his wife’s hands, his heart couldn’t help but soften with anticipation.

But when it came to actually packing, he didn’t let Li Chanxiu do everything. He still did most of the work himself. When he wasn’t paying attention, Li Chanxiu slipped the jade bracelet and hairpin he had previously given him into his bundle. After thinking for a moment, he also added a small pouch of loose silver.

The bracelet and hairpin had both been given by Pei Er, he definitely couldn’t truly keep them. As for the silver… although he suspected the other’s story about going to trade furs was a lie, in case he really needed to hand over all the money from Xuanping, this silver would at least cover his expenses for the next few days.

Naturally, he had left even more for him, but that would be after he left, he would leave a letter to tell him.

After Pei Zhen and Li Chanxiu finished packing his bundle together, he asked when Li Chanxiu would leave. Learning that he planned to go see his maternal family the day after tomorrow, only one day later than himself, he insisted on helping pack his bundle as well.

Li Chanxiu couldn’t refuse him. Combined with the fact that his cold poison had just flared up and his body was still weak, he simply sat by the kang and watched him busy himself, letting him do as he pleased.

Pei Zhen’s large hands took out several of his inner garments, smoothed them flat, folded them one by one, and placed them into the bundle, then moved on to organizing the outer garments.

Li Chanxiu’s face couldn’t help but redden slightly as he said, “I’m just going to see my maternal family, I don’t need to bring so many clothes.”

The inner garments were worn underneath, so packing them was fine. But the outer garments were all in women’s styles, there would be no chance to wear them again even if he brought them.

But Pei Zhen said, “You’re sensitive to cold. Bring a few more to stay warm, so you don’t fall ill again.”

After saying that, he continued packing carefully.

Li Chanxiu fell silent, sitting by the kang without speaking further.

He suddenly recalled the night before he left the Crown Prince’s residence, his father had also carefully packed his things like this. But after packing for a while, he had sighed, “Once you leave, you won’t need these anymore. All this packing by your father is for nothing.”

Now, Pei Er was also packing in vain, yet he didn’t know it. Li Chanxiu looked at him steadily. At this moment, the feeling of impending separation was the same as when he had left the Crown Prince’s residence back then.

He let out a soft sigh, walked over, pressed down on Pei Er’s hand, and began folding those clothes together with him.

Pei Zhen’s movements paused. For a moment, neither spoke.

In the afternoon, Pei Zhen still had other matters to attend to. After instructing Li Chanxiu to rest well at home, he strode away.

Li Chanxiu didn’t know what he had gone to do. It wasn’t until deep into the night that he saw him return, carrying a chill with him.

Li Chanxiu quickly sat up. The quilt draped over him slid slightly, falling to his thin shoulders. His black, silk-like hair hung loose, making his figure in a white inner robe appear cold and slender. The candlelight in the room seemed to flicker within his clear eyes.

Pei Zhen paused in surprise, astonished that he hadn’t yet gone to sleep, and then noticed that a candle was lit on the table.

Li Chanxiu gave a light cough. “The oil lamp irritates the eyes. It just so happens there were still a few candles left at home.”

However, the candles were leftovers from their wedding night. Now that they were both leaving, there was no reason not to use them. Although Pei Er would return later, by then, he wouldn’t lack money and be reluctant to buy candles anymore.

Pei Zhen looked at the half-burnt red candle on the table, his gaze intense, and let out a soft “Mm.”

Such a fine night, and the atmosphere just right, it seemed as though something should happen. But with parting imminent, both were burdened with thoughts, and an inexplicable sorrow lingered in their hearts. Neither spoke again.

Moreover, Li Chanxiu was still “ill,” so Pei Zhen would be even less likely to do anything.

The two lay side by side on the warm kang, neither speaking. Only after the neighboring rooster crowed three times did Li Chanxiu finally feel sleepy and drift into a light slumber.

Pei Zhen turned to look at him for a while, sighed softly, pulled him into his arms, and closed his eyes as well.

The next day.

As soon as dawn broke, Pei Zhen opened his eyes. He looked at the person in his arms, stayed silent for a long time, and only then reluctantly loosened his hold.

Li Chanxiu had already awakened while he was getting dressed and sitting up, and quickly asked with sleepy eyes, “You’re leaving already?”

Pei Zhen paused, looked at him gently, and nodded.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Chanxiu also got out of bed, thinking he should see him off. After all, once they parted, they might never meet again.

Seeing him get up, Pei Zhen quickly bent down, grabbed his pale, slender ankle, and swiftly tucked him back into the bedding, saying, “It’s cold, don’t get up so early.”

Li Chanxiu was embarrassed for a moment, then shook his head, pushed him away, and insisted on getting out of bed.

Pei Zhen was helpless. He could only grab some clothes and quickly wrap them around him. After a pause, he gently added, “I’ve already told General Chen that you’ll be leaving Yongfeng for a few days. He said it’s fine, told you to stay at your maternal home for a few more days without worry.”

After all, “Shen Xiu” was a convict’s family member. If she were to leave, she had to inform General Chen; otherwise, it would be treated as an escape.

“Also, I told General Chen that in a few days, I’ll ask him to report your merits to the prefect, to clear your criminal status.”

Li Chanxiu was slightly startled upon hearing this, but thinking that he would leave tomorrow, he didn’t need to worry about it and said nothing.

In truth, Pei Zhen could have found a way himself to remove “Shen Xiu’s” status. But he thought that since his wife had earned merit, it was better to use her own achievements to clear her name. It was her honor, something she deserved.

After he left, once she was no longer of criminal status, she would no longer be restricted no matter where she went.

Of course, his wife might not actually be Shen Xiu. Regarding this matter, he intended to wait until he returned, then explain everything clearly to her and help restore her identity.

If, unfortunately… he could not return, then Lord Zhang would handle these matters for him. In any case, he must not implicate his wife.

“Also, Ding Chenghai and Aunt Xu have already reunited. I asked General Chen to allow their family to move out of the military camp and settle here. Their residence is two or three houses away from our small courtyard. I remember you have a good relationship with Aunt Xu, while I’m away, you can visit her often, and you can look after each other. As for the other laborers who participated in the last battle, they’ve all received rewards. General Chen will report their merits one by one, and they should all be pardoned…”

Li Chanxiu was stunned upon hearing this. This was also something he had planned to speak to General Chen about before leaving, he hadn’t expected Pei Er to have already said it.

Meeting his clear, limpid gaze, Pei Zhen smiled lightly and kissed his forehead. Though reluctance was hidden in his eyes, after a moment he spoke in a normal tone: “Time is tight, I won’t eat at home. Later, heat up the chicken soup from last night and drink it. Also, when you return to your maternal home tomorrow, I’ll have Zhang Hu accompany you. There are refugees and unrest everywhere right now, it’s not safe for you to go alone. And also…”

Without realizing it, he said quite a lot more. The dignified Pei Shizi, who had always been decisive and sparing with words, had never been this talkative.

Only when the morning light shone into the courtyard, and he could delay no longer, did he finally pick up his helmet, tuck it under his arm, and fix his gaze on Li Chanxiu’s plain, fair face, saying hoarsely: “Then… I’ll go first.”

Li Chanxiu looked at him and nodded gently.

Pei Zhen’s gaze was deep. He looked at him for a long time before finally taking a deep breath, turning, and striding away.

Just as he stepped out of the small courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

The faint morning light fell on him, outlining his tall, upright figure, casting a long shadow on the ground.

Suddenly, he turned around. The light traced his deep-set features, his high nose casting a sharply defined shadow along his profile.

Li Chanxiu had just quickly walked out and stood at the main room’s doorway, watching him from afar.

Seeing this, Pei Zhen’s gaze suddenly deepened, as if something in his blood could no longer be suppressed. Just like that night in the military camp when he tossed and turned, and in the end couldn’t restrain himself, riding through the freezing cold under the starlit sky back to the small courtyard, just to see his wife once, that same impulse.

He suddenly strode back. Under Li Chanxiu’s startled gaze, his iron-like arm wrapped tightly around his waist, his other hand cupping the back of his head as his shadow fell over him in an instant.

Pei Zhen lowered his head and kissed him fiercely. Li Chanxiu was slightly stunned; before he could make a sound, his lips and teeth were overtaken, even his breath seized.

It was as if everything fell into chaos, no restraint or reason remained. Pei Zhen kissed him fiercely, clumsily without any method, as though he wanted to devour him completely.

Li Chanxiu had never known that being kissed could be so exhausting. He clutched tightly at the other’s cold armor, almost unable to stand, forced to tilt back his long, pale neck as his body kept slipping downward. Only when the other’s arm tightened around him and lifted him slightly did he barely steady himself again.

When he was finally released, both of them were breathing heavily. The corners of Li Chanxiu’s eyes were slightly red, even glistening with moisture, and his cheeks ached badly.

Pei Zhen rested his forehead lightly against his, his voice low and hoarse, filled with intense possessiveness, as he panted, “When I come back, let’s get married again, alright?”

If he truly could return, he would certainly marry him properly with full rites.

If not…

Pei Zhen’s eyes reddened slightly. He lowered his head and lightly pecked the swollen red lips in his arms again, unable to resist pulling him tightly into an embrace, as though wanting to press him into his very bones and blood.

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